AC Milan show 'no sympathy' to Newcastle United as manager makes 'great' Sandro Tonali claim

AC Milan boss Stefano Pioli has shown no sympathy towards Newcastle United following Sandro Tonali's suspension from football.

Tonali joined Newcastle from Milan in the summer for £52million and played 12 times before being found guilty of illegal betting. The Italian Football Federation handed a 10 month to the midfielder which was ratified worldwide by FIFA.

The 23-year-old can't play competitively until August 2024 but is able to train with his teammates in the meantime.

Piolo denied all knowledge of Tonali's gambling addiction.

"We were close to Sandro when he was with us," Piolo told reporters ahead of Wednesday's Champions League clash at St James' Park. "He was a cheerful, positive guy, close to the team, popular and very important to the team's rise. He applied himself, worked hard and was very willing to help the team.

"Unfortunately, he fell into a delicate situation but we're with him, we're close to him and we hope this experience will teach him and help him be better in the future. 

"No, I didn't. I had no idea about Sandro’s problem. He was a very polite, respectful and respectful to others. He was a very a sensible boy. Even if I have a close relationship with the players, I don’t only talk to them about football but despite that, what they do outside - I don’t know everything about them."

And the AC Miln boss has backed the player to bounce back.

"Absolutely yes, his football quality and technical, physical quality, there is no doubt, he is a great player," he replied.

"It is a good deal [for Newcastle]. They’ve signed a very good player.  What happened afterwards, no one could have expected."